The linking of red blood cells that are lemon shaped and unhealthy is the result of a diet high in animal protein. Red blood cells need to be separate in order to squeeze into the small capillaries which are only 3 microns in diameter. Red blood cells are 7 microns in diameter.Red blood cells should be round, even in color, even in shape, even in size. These types of healthy red blood cells are only found in great numbers in diets that are high in green foods, green drinks, healthy oils and alkaline water. The three pictures in yellow were taken under phase contrast microscopy and the one in the right hand bottom corner was taken in dark field microscopy.